I am absolutely one of those types of people who people who believes in trap games must-win games, that type of thing, regardless of sport. And I believe the Astros are in not just a must-win game Tuesday but really in a must-sweep series as they welcome the nothing-to-play-for Kansas City Royals for three games starting tonight. It's an 8:10 ET first pitch from Daikin Park.
Bet $5+ on any of Tuesday's games and get $200 in bonus bets when you bet at DraftKings Sportsbook: Just to be fair, let's quickly touch on the Royals, and there is really "nothing to see here" as Lt. Frank Drebin memorably said on "The Naked Gun" during a fireworks accident. The franchise will miss the playoffs for the 10th time since that 2014 World Series title, and management has a decision to make on manager Matt Quatraro, as I've said in this space before.
I think a change might be coming, only as the team wants to build momentum entering its new downtown ballpark that is scheduled to open in 2030. The NFL's Chiefs couldn't get a deal done and will move to the Kansas side of Kansas City, but that's for another day. Fans can try MLB betting on the best sports betting apps and get bonuses.
The SportsLine Projection Model also has picks on games like Royals-Astros from its 10,000 simulations, and our experts also offer insights on games every day. FanDuel SGP price: +147 (subject to change) Kansas City has lost nine of 13 but does start the capable Michael Wacha (9-3, 3.25 ERA) tonight. Some clubs were sniffing around the veteran righty at the trade deadline, but he's under control on a pretty team-friendly contract through 2028.
Not the kind of contract a smaller-market team wants to give up without an incredible trade return. Wacha enters with four straight quality starts and hasn't taken a loss since July 31 in Colorado. It's his first look 2026 look at Houston, and Wacha has been a bit worse away at 3-5 with a 3.46 ERA.
The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts him at 6.5 innings, 5.0 strikeouts, 5.1 hits allowed and 2.3 earned runs. Place your Royals-Astros wagers and get up to $1,500 in bonus bets back at BetMGM Sportsbook: I may have to consider a Christian Walker hitting prop, as he's 5-for-11 career off Wacha with two doubles and a homer; Walker is +450 to go yard. The Astros enter off being swept in three games at AL East-leading Tampa Bay, but that might be just the kick in the pants they needed.
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